British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
